Conference Information

General Conference Information

The CAFCN Conference has been cancelled in order to aid in the prevention of the spread of COVID-19.

Refunds

All registrants will receive a full refund for both the conference and workshop fees within the next 30 days. If you haven’t received your refund by the end of April, please contact conference@cafcn.ca Please have patience with us as we manage the details of getting all the registrations looked after.

*UPDATE March 22* – All conference and workshop registrations have now been refunded via PayPal. Monies will be returned to the same account from which the payment was drawn.

Hotel Reservations

If you made a hotel reservation at Hotel Halifax, you will receive a notification. If you don’t receive the notification, please contact the hotel. Any other travel arrangements will be your responsibility to manage as you see fit.

AGM Info

We are working to create plans to hold our AGM electronically, and are also considering potential opportunities in which to provide some of the educational workshops scheduled to be held at the conference. Again, we appreciate your patience.

Please see our conference page for information on airline and hotel discounts.

Early bird pricing in effect until April 1, 2020

Before April 1

After April 1

The workshops are NOT included in the conference registration fee and require separate registration. In order to keep the costs down, breakfast/lunch on Friday is not included.

Seating is limited in all sessions. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. A waitlist will be established once a session is full.

This information was updated March 11 @ 6:20 PM EST

Please make sure to refresh your browser so that you are looking at the latest version of the information.

Workshops | Friday, May 22, 2020

Registration for Workshops is separate from your conference registration, but you must be registered for the conference to register for a workshop. Once you have completed and paid for your conference registration, you will receive a link to the Workshop Registration page.

8:30 – 10:00 am

#1 Take Your Skills to the Next Level!

Tannis SorgeSponsor: PedEdLimit: 30Cost: $50 + $20 lab fee ($70)

Join us for a “hands on” interactive 90-minute session to assist you with assessment skills including:

#2 Silicone Digital Mold Workshop

This workshop will provide hands-on opportunity to learn how to make simple digital silicone molds to assist in offloading and digital alignment.

Learn how to discern who is a suitable candidate and how to make them successfully.

#3 Starting a Foot Care Business? What you need to know!

Lisa Garland Limit: 25Cost: $50

Do you ask yourself over and over how to start or grow a foot care business? Do you need information on contracts to independent living homes? The biggest mistakes I’ve made have let me grow and have a sustainable foot care business. How do I do it? Do you have burning questions that you need clarity on about starting up your own business, or adding to your team? This workshop is for you, 90 mins of answers.

#4 Certification in the Onyfix® Nail Correction System*8:30 – Noon*

This hands-on workshop will provide practical skills and knowledge for the treatment of various conditions of the skin & nails of the feet with the evidence-based skin care defense and repair system of Podoexpert by Allpremed® as well as the non-surgical, non-invasive treatment of ingrown & involuted nails with the evidence-based Onyfix® Nail Correction System. At the end of this workshop you will be certified to use the Onyfix® system, a new, simple and safe method to naturally correct ingrown/involuted nails and how to effectively incorporate this into your practice for better patient outcomes.

10:30 am – 12:00 noon

#5 Sterilization Workshop

Join us for a “hands on” Sterilization workshop. We will start with a bit of a theory and terminology review and prepare yourselves to “gown and glove” up! Each participant will work through the process of sterilization.

#6 Padding & Off loading

A variety of padding and off-loading techniques may be used to treat or prevent corns and calluses. This workshop will provide an interactive hands-on opportunity to learn about and practice padding techniques to redistribute pressure on corn and calluses. We will also look at over the counter products versus hand-made pads. Which is better?

*NB Please wear or bring a pair of shoes with a removable insole to practice making custom padding. Be prepared to remove your shoes to make removable padding.

#7 Advancements in Compression Therapy

Krista Short Sponsor: Medi Canada Limit: 20Cost: $50

Medi Canada is a world leader in compression. Focus of workshop will be identifying patients who require compression for pathologies of venous insufficiency and lymphedema. Understanding and differentiating preventative versus medical compression for your patients with confidence.

1:00 – 2:30 pm

#8 Burring 101

Sandra BirdLimit: 20 FULLCost: $50

Having the right bur for the job will not only save time but provide comfort for the client. Burs come in a variety of materials, shapes, sizes, and grits, with different uses and purpose for each. Not sure what bur to use, this workshop is designed to provide you with basic burring information.

*If you have a rotary device, please bring to allow for more hands-on practice.

#9 Learning the Impact of Shoe Lacing

Kate Clayton-JonesLimit: 20 6 SPOTS LEFTCost: $50

Traditional podiatric techniques for offloading typically include padding, orthotics and specialty shoes. However, these are fixes for problems that have occurred. Since Foot Care Nurses are involved in the prevention business, this hands on workshop will teach you the art and science behind foot function and shoe fit and give you several lacing techniques and know-how to share with clients to prevent foot problems from happening.

*Wear or bring a pair of lace up runners.

#10 Education in Action

Karen Hardy & Chris Rawlins Limit: 20Cost: $50

The ‘Education in Action’ workshop is designed to help guide nurses to break down barriers and set goals for care with their patients. Practical strategies will be discussed to help integrate patient education into everyday practice. This helps create a better therapeutic relationship improving the patient’s overall independence and well-being.

#11 Certification in the Onyfix® Nail Correction System*1:00 – 4:30*

This hands-on workshop will provide practical skills and knowledge for the treatment of various conditions of the skin & nails of the feet with the evidence-based skin care defense and repair system of Podoexpert by Allpremed® as well as the non-surgical, non-invasive treatment of ingrown & involuted nails with the evidence-based Onyfix® Nail Correction System. At the end of this workshop you will be certified to use the Onyfix® system, a new, simple and safe method to naturally correct ingrown/involuted nails and how to effectively incorporate this into your practice for better patient outcomes.

3:00 – 4:30 pm

#12 The Foot Care Nurse’s Toolbox

Arlene Van DoornLimit: 20 6 SPOTS LEFTCost: $50

From autoclaves to nippers, increase your knowledge regarding foot care supplies. Understand the difference between quality and sub-standard equipment. Choosing the correct nipper that best suits you and your client. Experience hands on clipping and burring with model nails. This workshop will put you at ease when preparing to purchase new equipment for your foot care toolbox.

#13 Ankle Brachial Pressure Index (ABPI) Workshop

Understand and learn the hands-on skill of ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI). This workshop will explain the purpose of the test and foster the confidence and skill needed to perform an ABPI. Acquiring the knowledge and skill to perform an ABPI will assist nurses in completing a comprehensive advance lower limb assessment.

Saturday, May 24, 2020

8:30 – 9:15 am Towards Inter-Professional Foot Care– Joel Alleyne, ED, Canadian Podiatric Medical Association In the world of foot care, Foot Care Nursing and Podiatry are two of a number of complementary but overlapping professions. Our Associations have collaborated over the last five years in finding ways to serve the public better.

In a patient-centric world, continued coordination, collaboration and communication will help strengthen these services for the public. This session will outline some of the challenges and opportunities we face together.

9:15 – 10:00 am The Problem: Diabetic Foot Care in Canada: How the geko™ device can help – Dorace Ramage & Tom WeiszDiabetes in Canada and around the world can truly be called a pandemic. As of 2016, it’s estimated that almost 1 in 3 Canadians live with diabetes or prediabetes and the numbers continue to rise. This presentation will discuss the problems with the Canadian health care system in dealing with diabetic foot care and how the geko™ device can contribute to prevention and treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, the leading cause of lower leg amputation.

1:15 – 2:00 pm Managing the Neuropathic Foot – Janet Kuhnke & Andrea Richards This presentation features a NSWOC nurse and Pedorthist teaming up to offer their approaches on the prevention and treatment of the neuropathic foot. Topics include: Overview of the problem, links to blood glucose and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and management strategies like offloading and gait assessment.

2:00 – 2:45 pm Protect Yourself – Performing a Point of Care Risk Assessment for Foot Care Nurses – Merlee Steele-Rodway A point of care risk assessment is critical for Foot Care Nurses and plays a key role for both the provider and client. Knowing how to protect yourself and your client will ensure safe care. Before every client interaction, you will choose appropriate actions to minimize your risk. This presentation will provide the necessary steps to identify risk and take the necessary steps in a point of care risk assessment.

3:15 – 4:00 pm Social media and technology – Jennifer Katsuno CNPS An increasing number of nurses are using mobile devices and apps as tools to assist in daily clinical care. This presentation will review a nurse’s ethical and professional obligations when using social media and discuss risk-management tips to help reduce risk. Recent case studies and legislative developments involving the use of social media in healthcare environments will also be examined.

4:00 – 4:30 pm Scleroderma – Jason Doucette Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that may result in changes to the skin, blood vessels, muscles, and internal organs. The disease can be either localized to the skin or involve other organs in addition to the skin. The purpose of this presentation is to help foot care nurses understand the basics of Scleroderma and how we can work together to improve the quality of life for our mutual clients.

4:30 – 5:30 pm Spotlight sessions: Exhibitors are invited to showcase a particular product or service in 10-minute rotating sessions.

6:30 pm Saturday Evening Social Event

Saturday Evening Social 6:30 pm

Join us at Five Fishermen restaurant (private dining room) in Downtown Halifax and let the personalized service and warm contemporary ambiance, set the tone for an exceptional dining experience. Choose from a selection of the finest seafood available or indulge in our critically acclaimed prime center cut steaks, aged 28 days and wood fire grill to perfection. Complement your meal with a selection from our wine menu — an award-wining list of more than 200 wines curated by our Sommelier.

Everyone will order their own meal (reduced menu) on site and separate bills will be provided. The restaurant is a 5-minute walk from the hotel, 1740 Argyle Street, dinner reservation for 6:30. This event is limited to 36 people on a first come first serve basis, avoid disappointment – register early!

$20 deposit to hold your seat; the deposit will be refunded at the dinner

*Update* The main seating area is now full. The restaurant has the capacity for 15 additional seats, but they will be in a separate area. Anyone registering for this after February 12 will be in the additional seating area. FULL

*Update 2* This event is now full, but you will be able to put your name on the waiting list. If a spot becomes available, it will be offered to the person at the top of the list. At that point, you will be required to pay the $20 deposit to secure your spot.

If you have registered for the event but are no longer able to attend, please email webmaster@cafcn.ca to find out if there is someone on the waiting list that can take your spot.

Sunday, May 26, 2020

8:00 – 8:45 am Something could be going on that my eyes cannot see! – Kathleen Stevens This presentation reports the findings of a mixed-methods research study that evaluated the effectiveness of a foot self-management strategy for patients with diabetes that utilized a low-cost infrared thermometer. Results showed that this strategy benefited patients in relation to foot self-management. These findings have implications for advanced foot care nursing practice.

10:00 – 10:45 am The Stress-Hormone Connection – Dr. Cassandra Connolly In today’s stressed out world we are seeing more and more individuals having health issues that arise from chronic stress and burn out. You don’t feel like yourself anymore, maybe your work is suffering, you have unexplained symptoms and your trying to connect the dots…. I get it, I have been there! The stress hormone connection may be the missing piece of your health puzzle that you have been searching for!

10:45 – 11:30 “Sole searching” looking for common dermatological conditions in feet – Sponsored by Bausch Health Dr. Ariel Burns During this presentation, common dermatological foot and nail conditions will be reviewed, including pathogenesis, distinguishing clinical features and differential diagnosis, as well as basic clinic management. Clinical “Red flags” for potentially serious conditions will also be highlighted, including malignancies and serious infections.

11:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch

11:30 – 1:30 pm Educators Lunch – If you are a nursing foot care educator, please join us for lunch.

Guest Speaker:–Erin J. Careless, PhD, Program Director, College of Continuing Education, Dalhousie University

Learning Evaluation – How do you accurately measure student learning? How do you provide the appropriate means of representing knowledge so that students feel supported in their diverse learning needs? In this presentation, we will discuss evaluation as connected to the needs of learners and the content delivered, various types of evaluation, and determining ‘best of fit’ in terms of when to use what types of evaluation tools.

1:30 – 2:15 pm The Role of Physiotherapy in the Interprofessional Team Approach in the care of a client with Foot Dysfunction – Stephen Richey This session will provide an overview of the anatomy and biomechanics of the foot and ankle as part of the lower kinetic chain as well as the role of physiotherapy in the team approach treatment for the client with foot dysfunction.

2:15 – 3:00 pm What toes are telling us and why it matters – Kate Clayton-Jones Assessing how toes look and feel, and the prints they leave in the front of shoes, is a window of opportunity for a foot care nurse to make a huge impact beyond toe nail shaping and improving skin integrity. This presentation is about what those toe prints tell us and translating that information into practice.

3:00 – 3:45 pm Taking control of your health and wellness in a busy lifestyle – Sylvia Peters & Steve Nemethy Most of us want to “feel” better, but we tend to have a hard time keeping up with the daily tasks that will give us the results we are longing for. We have a hard time breaking eating habits, and/or following a fitness routine, sticking to something for a short time then eventually giving up. You have the power to change that. Taking control of our personal choices that determine our health outcomes is one of the most empowering things we can do. Steve and Sylvia of Nova Fitness will be presenting on how to incorporate sustainable habits to your daily routine to ensure a healthy lifestyle with a busy schedule. Investing in being healthy physically and mentally provides a foundation of success!

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Canadian Association of Foot Care Nurses is to advance the practice of foot care through a collaborative and networking process for all individuals providing foot care. Read the CAFCN Bylaws (PDF) »